Assessing the thermal performance of green infrastructure on urban microclimate

Carlos Bartesaghi Koc PhD Candidate March 2015 – 2018 Supervisors: Dr. Paul Osmond Prof. Alan Peters CRCLCL Node of Excellence in HPA UNSW 08-06-2016

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Research Questions

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Airborne Remote Sensing

Method to map and

assess the thermal effects

of GI Source: Dr. Matthias Irger (2014) Image: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates

• What is the thermal performance of different green infrastructure typologies? • What is most effective composition, amount and arrangement of GI required to

provide a maximum thermal cooling?

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE (Trees, parks, green roofs, vertical greenery systems, water bodies)

URBAN MICROCLIMATE (Surface- & Canopy Layer- Urban heat

island – SUHI, CLUHI)

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Research Objectives

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• Propose a new green infrastructure typology to support urban microclimate studies.

• Propose a methodological framework combining empirical and predictive analysis to evaluate the thermal performance of GI typologies in a more comprehensive and precise way.

• Propose a standardised GIS-based workflow that makes use of readily accessible data and can be easily replicable.

• Use Sydney and Melbourne as case studies to apply the GIS-based methodology.

• Propose a list of evidence-based guidelines and recommendations for practitioners, industry and local governments.

O1 O2

O3

O4 O5

Image: http://www.greenroofs.com

NSW Public Works – Sydney Green Grid

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Research Method

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A. LCZ classification B. GIT classification C. Statistical analysis

- Hyper-/multi-spectral - Cadastral

- LiDAR

- Hyper-/multi-spectral - LiDAR - Aerial

- Ground-based monitoring - Products of steps A & B

- Thermal infrared (TIR)

Evaluation of functional, structural and configurational attributes using a combination of airborne remote sensing, empirical observations and predictive modelling.

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Research Challenges

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• Data collection > two case studies: Sydney and Melbourne > unmatched datasets

• Calculation of indicators > NDVI, LAI, Evapotranspiration model, Landscape metrics (FRAGSTATS)

• Emissivity corrections to calculate more precise land surface temperatures (TIR images)

• Big data processing and analysis: Day-night / Winter-Summer / 3 different locations

• Formulation of a predictive model > statistical analysis

Winter data > Dr. Matthias Irger & CSIRO Summer data > Parramatta City Council (LPI) Summer data > City of Port Phillip & Dr. A. Coutts

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Outcomes / Innovation / Contributions

• A standardised classification of GI to facilitate the reporting of thermal analyses, and inter-site & inter-typology comparison.

• Formulation of a GIS-based methodological framework to map GI conditions, prioritise greening interventions and deliver more sustainable neighbourhoods with greater confidence.

• Use of very high resolution airborne remote sensing imagery for a more precise and accurate analysis at local and micro scales.

• Estimation of evapotranspiration in urban areas and heterogeneous contexts.

• Formulation of guidelines as a

communication and visualisation tool for designers and policy-makers.

Image: EEA (2013). Building a green infrastructure for Europe.

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Thank you for your attention

Acknowledgments: This research is conducted at the Faculty of Built Environment, University of New South Wales (UNSW-Australia) and the Node of Excellence – Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living (CRC-LCL). This research is possible thanks to the financial support of the Graduate Research School –UNSW (University International Postgraduate Award - UIPA) and the CRC for Low Carbon Living (Top-up scholarship). The data used in this research has been kindly provided by Dr. Matthias Irger, CSIRO, Parramatta City Council (Dr. Paul Hackney) and City of Port Phillip - Melbourne.